RIAT adds RAF displays to 2015 line-up
Following on from its 50th display season celebrations at the Air Tattoo last year, the Red Arrows will be displaying throughout the three-day event sporting a patriotic new design on their tail fins.
A newer model of Hawk will be featured in a routine making its public airshow debut at the Air Tattoo. This is the Hawk T2, BAE Systems’ latest version of the enduring design. No IV (Reserve) Squadron, stationed at RAF Valley on Anglesey, is putting together a new two-aircraft ‘role demo’ to showcase the type’s capabilities on the airshow circuit for the first time. The Hawks will demonstrate something of the training performed at Valley, being flown by two instructors on the unit, Flt Lts Ben Polwin and Toby Keeley. RIAT 2015 will be the role demo’s inaugural appearance in front of a public air display crowd.
Representing the ‘cutting edge’ of the RAF’s front line at the Air Tattoo, very appropriately given the event’s operational theme of Securing the Skies – Past Present Future, will be the solo Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 display from No 29 (Reserve) Squadron at RAF Coningsby.
This year’s pilot is Flt Lt Jonny Dowen. Representing the old and the new of UK air defence, a Typhoon will also team up with a Spitfire from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for an evocative and spectacular ‘synchro pair’ routine, this part of the service’s contribution to the Battle of Britain 75th anniversary commemorations taking place this year. Aside from the two Hurricanes and four Spitfires already confirmed as coming to RIAT 2015, the BBMF is also sending its majestic Avro Lancaster bomber.
In addition to those aircraft taking part in the flying displays, the RAF is also committing a number of assets to the RIAT 2015 static park. Especially notable among these are a Sea King rescue helicopter from ‘A’ Flight of No 22 Squadron, probably making its final Air Tattoo appearance before retirement, and a Tornado GR4 operated by No XV (Reserve) Squadron, a unit celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015 with a specially-painted aircraft.
Visitors to RIAT 2015 will also be able to find out more about the RAF in the RAF Village, where there is the opportunity to experience first-hand what happens when the RAF responds to a humanitarian crisis. Other RAF support for the show is still being finalised.
The Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the RAF Charitable Trust.
At the beginning of the year it was confirmed that another old RAF war horse - part of the fleet of Cold War V Bombers - the famous Avro-designed Vulcan XH558, will again be taking to the skies as part of this year's RIAT.
The Vulcan was the first aircraft announcement for this summer's event and is a perfect fit with RIAT's 'Securing the Skies - Past, Present and Future' theme.
Robert Pleming, Vulcan To The Sky Trust chief executive said: "We are really delighted to return XH558 to such a prestigious event on the aviation calendar."
Vulcan XH558 will fly into the show on Friday 17 July and will then be on static display as part of the 'pit' experience at RIAT where you get a chance to get up close under the stewardship of the Vulcan to the Sky volunteers.
On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July she will soar into the skies above RAF Fairford and perform in the flying display. When not in the air there is the opportunity to visit her on the ground for a small donation to the Vulcan to the Sky Trust.
